Las Vegas NowJurors Find Perez and Colon Guilty in Child's Murder

Jurors Find Perez and Colon Guilty in Child's Murder

Marc Colon and Gladys Perez have been found guilty of first degree murder in the death of Perez's three-year-old daughter, Crystal Figueroa. It took jurors about seven hours to decide the verdict.

SLIDESHOW: The Tragic Life of Crystal Figueroa

Jurors began deliberating on Tuesday after lunch and continued until nearly 8 p.m. They started again at 8:30 Wednesday morning and announced they had reached a decision about one hour later.

As she did during much of the trial, Perez hid her face behind her hands and cried as the verdicts were read and Colon showed no emotion.

Colon and Perez were each found guilty of first degree murder in the death of Crystal Figueroa as well as child abuse resulting in substanstial bodily harm. Perez was also found guilty of neglect resulting in substanstial bodily harm. Perez was the girl's mother and Colon was Perez's boyfriend. Prosecutors say both were responsible for the abuse that led to Crystal's death but Colon and Perez used the trial to blame each other.

Perez and Colon Arrest Report: Details of the Murder Case:
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Clark County medical examiner Dr. Gary Telfenhoff had testified during the trial that Crystal Figueroa died from blunt force trauma to her torso. Autopsy photos depicted extensive bruises on the little girl's stomach and back. Part of Crystal's small intestine was actually severed which the coroner testified is a painful and often fatal injury.

Perez and Colon beat the child while staying at a downtown Las Vegas motel. According to the criminal complaint, when Crystal began vomiting and had a seizure, the couple planned to take her to a hospital but didn't after Colon became concerned that officials would question the bruises on Crystal's body as well as the bruises on Perez. The child died in the car.

The penalty phase in the trial will begin on Thursday. Colon is facing the death penalty and Perez is facing life in prison without parole.